I admit I am busy and didn’t read all of this but I do understand the topic. I think it’s fine to have a pre-defined character you play as OR a customizable one as long as they DO in fact fit the narrative.
Fitting the narrative doesn’t always have to be about phenotype or how one identifies but if it is in fact integral to the story then I wouldn’t to change who that character is.
Some games even on this site fall victim to this issue when they make their character’s personality change heavily depending on the choices you make. It’s like the core to who they are becomes a completely different being and it completely takes me out of the immersion.
I also agree and tend to move away from games that claim to or are hyped up about being progressive, only to have BIPOC LGBT+ representation as an after thought or foot note.
One game I will reference is Extracurricular Activities. I just make the MC different types of white cuz I personally do not like how he looks in darker skin tones and if you actually pay attention to the story the MC IS his own character.(Me? Camping? I would never! xD)
Personally…I’d rather replay Horizon: Zero Dawn as Aloy over and over again than reinstall Genshin Impact just to pull for a character who’s melanin disappears in SUNLIGHT of all things.